Cycling for Europeans is more of a lifestyle than just a sport and few events highlight their love of it like the Tour de France. Fervent spectators camp out and wait for a few seconds glimpse of their favorite cyclist as the pack weaves and jogs over mountains and through centuries old towns. Fans don costumes, scream, cheer, yell as the metallic buzz of the bikes whiz by. The majestic scenery is as much a part of the race as the competitors.
Here's a look at the grueling pursuit of the coveted yellow jersey from Associated Press photographers.
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland corners a roundabout on his way to win the prologue of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 6,4 kilometers (4 miles) with start and finish in Liege, Belgium, Saturday June 30 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
A cycling fan waves the American flag as she screams to get the attention of George Hincapie of the US prior to the start of the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. Hincapie, who is riding his 17th Tour de France, came over to sign autographs. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The pack passes a pine forest during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The pack passes Ouffet under a menacing sky during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
A man lights a cigarette prior to the start of the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Mark Cavendish of Britain, right with yellow helmet, crosses the finish line ahead of Andre Greipel of Germany, left, to win the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
Spectators watch the start of the second stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Vise and finish in Tournai, Belgium, Monday July 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides in the pack during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 197 kilometers (122.4 miles) with start in Orchies and finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, Tuesday July 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, waits to take the start of the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 198 kilometers (123 miles) with start in Liege and finish in Seraing, Belgium, Sunday July 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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